Vito Fornelli, Executive Chef at Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach tells us about his own food culture and new offerings.

You’ve mentioned being inspired by your grandmother’s cooking with ingredients ‘from the backyard’, is this a concept you would like to introduce at the Wyndham Grand?
Indeed. I grew up eating food made from fresh ingredients, those that were readily available in the village. From olive oil to cheese and produce, you name it. So, naturally, I’m inclined to incorporate this food culture at Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach. Locally sourced ingredients take centre stage in our kitchen, and we believe in bringing the genuine taste out of each ingredient used to give a wholesome dining experience to all our guests.

Your kitchen philosophy is to keep it simple and have fun with it – how do you manifest this in your current role while overseeing the hotel’s various outlets?
When you think of a comfort food, most of us will choose the simplest dish. However, the food industry metamorphoses every minute, there is always something new, innovative, and interesting emerging. Hence, it’s important we ride along the tide, and have fun while doing it. You will see these elements in all our menus, simple yet fun.

You’ve recently launched new promotions the Superfood Business Lunch and Afternoon High Coffee. Please tell us about these.
Oh, I’m very excited to tell everyone about this. Standing true to our food philosophy we have launched our Superfood Business Lunch at bāzār West Bay – our all-day dining restaurant. The ingredients used in curating the business lunch are all superfoods, aimed at keeping you fuelled and energised after the lunch, and not feeling lethargic. Some of the menu items include Brown Rice Salmon Poke Bowl, Seared Tofu Steak and Chocomole Pudding (avocado and dark chocolate).
We have also launched a unique concept at Crema Brew Bar. We all have heard enough and more about High Teas, so we wanted to be the first in Doha to introduce, Afternoon High Coffee. The concept stems from our passion for all things coffee. The High Coffee consists of coffee-based sweets and savouries, and guests can enjoy this with our special list of hot or cold coffees, all brewed from single-origin artisanal coffees from around the globe. The High Coffee Cage is wheeled to the guests in the opulent and breathtakingly beautiful lobby, can’t get better than this, right?

What is your own signature dish and what makes it special?
I don’t like to restrict my signature dish to just one. The world is your oyster, so why limit yourself to just to one? I’m an Italian, so it goes without saying I love making pasta, pizza and fish. However, I also enjoy making Indian and Far-East Asian foods. The melody of spices, herbs and vegetables is incredible. ✤